Updated
Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (SET: THAI) has officially announced the temporary suspension of CEO Chai Eamsiri, effective October 2, 2026, while the company conducts a fact-finding review and examination of its crisis management following the operational disruption in late September.
The board has appointed Samrit Samniang, a director, to serve as acting CEO during the review process. THAI said the board also approved changes to the list of authorized directors to comply with the company’s regulations. The airline added that it remains focused on maintaining customer and stakeholder confidence and will provide further updates to the Stock Exchange of Thailand as material developments arise.
Earlier, it was reported that Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (SET: THAI) has suspended Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Chai Eamsiri and appointed board member and Executive Committee member Samrit Samniang as acting CEO, following the airline’s recent operational disruption.
The reported management change comes after THAI experienced significant disruption at Suvarnabhumi Airport, including flight delays and cancellations and a substantial backlog of delayed passenger baggage following flooding in Bangkok and surrounding areas.
THAI had previously reduced its flight schedule on October 1 and 2 to align operations with available capacity, while stepping up efforts to clear delayed baggage and restore normal services. The airline has said it aims to resume all scheduled flights from October 3.
Samrit, who serves as a THAI director and member of the Executive Committee, has been named to take over the CEO responsibilities on an acting basis, according to the reports.
The reported decision follows a special board meeting convened to assess the airline’s operational situation and response to the disruption. Earlier reports prior to this had indicated that the board could consider Chai’s position following mounting attention over the handling of the service problems.
As of the latest reports, THAI had not yet issued a formal public announcement confirming the CEO suspension.
